Several countries around the world have banned baby names like “Linda,” “Lucifer,” and even “Nutella” for cultural, religious, or legal reasons—highlighting the surprising global rules parents must navigate when naming their children.

What’s in a name? Apparently, a whole lot—especially when that name lands on a government’s blacklist.

While most parents might assume they have full freedom to name their child whatever their hearts desire, a surprising number of countries around the world enforce strict rules about baby names.

And the list of banned names isn’t just full of swear words or controversial figures—some, like “Linda,” might leave you scratching your head in confusion.

In Saudi Arabia, the name “Linda” is banned outright. Why? Not because it’s offensive or difficult to pronounce, but because it’s considered “too Western.” Saudi Arabia, a deeply conservative Islamic monarchy, enforces naming laws meant to protect cultural and religious identity.

Names with foreign roots or meanings that conflict with Islamic or social norms are often rejected. “Linda,” though popular in many parts of the world, doesn’t align with traditional Arabic culture, and so it lands on the banned list. It’s not alone—other names such as “Alice,” “Elaine,” and even “Sandy” have been prohibited for similar reasons.

But Saudi Arabia is far from the only country with strict naming conventions. In fact, baby name bans are more common than you might think, and they reflect not only linguistic concerns but deep-rooted political, religious, and cultural values.

Across the globe, naming a child involves more than just parental preference—it often means navigating legal systems and cultural minefields.

Take Iceland, for instance, where there’s an actual government committee—the Icelandic Naming Committee—that approves or denies all names.

The country’s rules dictate that names must fit into Icelandic grammar and pronunciation and not cause the child embarrassment later in life.

Foreign names that don’t conform to the Icelandic alphabet often get the axe. That’s why names like “Harriet” and “Duncan” have been denied, even though they’re widely used elsewhere.

In Germany, names must clearly indicate the gender of the child and must not negatively affect the child’s well-being. Names like “Lucifer” have been rejected for being associated with Satan, while “Matti” has been denied due to gender ambiguity.

The state believes that names can impact a child’s social experience, so anything perceived as odd, mocking, or excessively unusual is often turned down.

New Zealand has also made headlines for its long list of banned names, some of which were creative to the point of absurdity. Among the rejected: “Mafia No Fear,” “Lucifer,” and “Queen Victoria.”

Parents there tried to name one child “Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii,” a case that gained international attention after the name was ruled to be so embarrassing that a judge legally renamed the child.

Meanwhile, in Denmark, parents can only choose from a pre-approved list of around 7,000 names. If they want to go off-list, they need government permission. This system, according to Danish authorities, is designed to protect children from names that could result in bullying or ridicule.

Even countries considered more liberal about naming have drawn lines in the sand. In France, where naming laws were relaxed in the 1990s, courts have still intervened when names were seen as inappropriate.

One couple attempted to name their child “Nutella,” after the popular chocolate spread, but a judge ruled against it, arguing it would lead to mockery. The name was changed to “Ella.”

The United States is often seen as one of the more permissive countries when it comes to baby names, but even here there are rules—although they vary by state.

Most restrictions in the U.S. revolve around technicalities, such as not being able to include symbols, numerals, or emojis. However, California doesn’t allow names with diacritical marks (like é or ñ), while other states prohibit the use of obscene words or names that could be interpreted as titles.

While many of these restrictions may seem excessive or even absurd, they often stem from genuine attempts to protect children from future harm, embarrassment, or alienation.

Names are one of the first things people learn about each other. They carry cultural, religious, and familial weight. In some societies, names are believed to influence destiny. In others, they serve as political or social statements.

But in a rapidly globalizing world where cultures constantly intersect, some of these laws are beginning to be questioned. What might seem “foreign” today could be mainstream tomorrow. Some parents intentionally challenge these naming restrictions as acts of protest or cultural expression.

The debate over naming rights also highlights a deeper philosophical question: who truly has the authority to decide what a child can be called? The state? Religion? Society? Or the parents alone?

For now, if you’re expecting a baby and planning to give them a unique or meaningful name, it might be worth checking local regulations first. Otherwise, you may find yourself not just choosing a name—but fighting for it.

Because as it turns out, calling your child Linda could be a lot more rebellious than you ever imagined.